Kirjahaku

A new approach to rural development is emerging. Instead of being about attracting companies that might create jobs over which communities have no control, the emerging paradigm is about connecting the unique underutilized assets of place with market opportunity to grow assets that are owned and controlled by and for the benefit of low-wealth people and places. But asset development is about more than bricks and mortar or narrowly defined financial assets. There are many kinds of assets that communities require to thrive – such as social capital, natural capital, political capital, and intellectual capital. The emerging new approach to rural development is, then about broadening the definition of "wealth," engaging underutilized assets, and a key third element: harnessing the power of the market – rather than relying solely on philanthropy and government. Wealth Creation provides a conceptual guide with practical examples for policymakers, practitioners of economic and community development, community organizers, environmentalists, funders, investors, and corporations seeking a values-based framework for identifying self-interests across sectors that can lead to opportunities to transform existing systems for the collective good.

A new approach to rural development is emerging. Instead of being about attracting companies that might create jobs over which communities have no control, the emerging paradigm is about connecting the unique underutilized assets of place with market opportunity to grow assets that are owned and controlled by and for the benefit of low-wealth people and places. But asset development is about more than bricks and mortar or narrowly defined financial assets. There are many kinds of assets that communities require to thrive – such as social capital, natural capital, political capital, and intellectual capital. The emerging new approach to rural development is, then about broadening the definition of "wealth," engaging underutilized assets, and a key third element: harnessing the power of the market – rather than relying solely on philanthropy and government. Wealth Creation provides a conceptual guide with practical examples for policymakers, practitioners of economic and community development, community organizers, environmentalists, funders, investors, and corporations seeking a values-based framework for identifying self-interests across sectors that can lead to opportunities to transform existing systems for the collective good.

This book sets out the power of a values-based, systems-oriented, contextually derived, participatory measurement process to drive changes in social systems that result in measurable changes in behavior. It is based on You Get What You Measure (YGWYM), a unique approach trademarked by Yellow Wood Associates.

We all measure progress toward our individual goals every day, whether we recognize it or not. This book provides a proven process for incorporating measuring into collective action for social change. Measuring has the potential to unlock paths to shared purpose; to motivate learning and continuous improvement in the face of change and complexity. Measurement is powerful when it provides focus and clarity with respect to what is necessary for systemic change in relation to specific outcomes. Unfortunately, misguided and extractive measurement processes have too often hamstrung, rather than enabled meaningful social change. This is a book about the power of a values-based, systems-oriented, contextually derived, participatory measurement process to drive changes in social systems that result in measurable changes in behavior. It is based on over 25 years of experience developing, facilitating, and implementing You Get What You Measure (YGWYM), a unique approach trademarked by Yellow Wood Associates. YGWYM has been used by federal, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, environmental groups, citizen groups, businesses, foundations and their grant recipients, and others to think strategically and create and implement action plans that incorporate measures from the start. YGWYM brings people with differing perspective into alignment regarding priority actions based on a systems analysis of current conditions in relation to shared goals. It creates feedback loops for information required to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on appropriate time scales without wasting time and resources on premature testing.